Review: ‘Chu-Chin-Chow’

This lavish musical from the British studios is a colorful, extravagant costume film that makes its bid for attention purely on an extravaganza platform, and makes the grade. It is, compared to American musicals, slow. But this very slowness happens to fit this type of yarn.

This lavish musical from the British studios is a colorful, extravagant costume film that makes its bid for attention purely on an extravaganza platform, and makes the grade. It is, compared to American musicals, slow. But this very slowness happens to fit this type of yarn.

Story of Chu-Chin-Chow is the story of Ali Baba from the Arabian tales. George Robey is Ali Baba, the sap who became a millionaire; Anna May Wong is Zahrat, the unfaithful and vengeful slave girl; Fritz Kortner is Abu Hasan, the robber chief. All are excellent choices.

John Garrick is a handsome Nur-al-din, carrying the love interest with Marjanah (Pearl Argyle). Argyle is decorative and Garrick has a splendid singing voice.

Chief honors go to the director, Walter Forde, although there aren’t any slipups in casting or other items. Anton Dolin, one of Britain’s best name dancers among the modernists, stages the dances very effectively, and Frederic Norton’s music from the original show [written by Oscar Asche] is never tiresome.